The secure connection could not be established at all.
WHAT IT MEANS
The handshake failed before any certificate check. Browser and server could not agree on how to communicate.
COMMON CAUSES
The site is not actually configured for https on that port Cloudflare set to Flexible while the server expects https A redirect sending https traffic to a port that serves plain http Very old TLS versions being requested by an outdated client A misconfigured proxy or firewall between visitor and server
WHAT TO CHECK
- Does the site load over plain http? If so, the server is running and the problem is specific to the secure connection.
- If using Cloudflare, set SSL/TLS mode to Full (strict).
- Check cPanel > SSL/TLS Status for a valid installed certificate.
- Check
.htaccessfor a redirect doing something unexpected with the scheme.
IF IT AFFECTS ONE VISITOR
An outdated browser or operating system unable to negotiate current TLS versions. They need to update; weakening the server is not the answer.
IF IT APPEARED SUDDENLY
Something changed: a plugin, a redirect rule, or a Cloudflare setting. Reverse the most recent change first.
